Hildina Ballad
The ‘Hildina’ Ballad is by far the largest surviving example of poetry or song in the Shetland Norn language. It was collected in Foula in 1774, but was written down phonetically and without melody. It’s a fine example of the Heroic Ballad tradition that still thrives in Faroe, and that Shetland and Faroe once shared.
In addition, the ballad features a strong female lead character and gives a fascinating insight into the culture and music that Shetlanders enjoyed in the Norn-speaking period.
As part of a Creative Scotland funded project, during 2025 I studied the ballad in Norn, and used this to produce a translation into modern day Shetland (Shaetlan). This provides the opportunity to ‘give back’ the ballad to modern Shaetlan speakers, and will allow learning or performance of the ballad; it also opens the way for dancing (as is done in Faroe), and potential collaboration with Faroese and Nordic ballad groups.
Recording project
On November 5th, 2025, a historic and culturally significant recording was made at Mareel, Shetland.
29 singers gathered and recorded all 35 stanzas of the Hildina Ballad, both in Shaetlan and in Norn. This represents the first time the song has been recorded in Norn in Shetland, the first time in probably 250 years a Shetland ballad has been sung in this style; and the first time the Hildina has been sung in the Shaetlan language.
Dancin da ‘Hildina’
It da Shetland Folk Festival 2026, May 1st, ower 60 fok gaidered ta laern aboot an dance da Hildina. Wi da chorus learned, da steps learned, da hale group danced aa 60 verses onda sang ati Shaetlan.
A 'hard core' o 28 remained an danced da hale ballad aa ower ageen, dis time ida oreeginal Norn - see da video below, filmed bi Anthony Olsson.
Dis represents da first time it a Shetland ballad has been danced till in Shetland for ower 200 year, possibly since da ballad wis first collected à Foula ida year 1774.